Support for Kate’s Liver Transplant

As many of you may already know, I was diagnosed with rare liver disease called Autoimmune Hepatitis at just 20 years old. The last 7 years have been some of the hardest years of my life. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been in and out of the hospital, from quick trips to extended stays, I’ve had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions, learned to cope with side affects from the ever growing amount of medications I have to be on daily just to stay alive, I’ve tried every diet and detox imaginable, I’ve battled mentally with being told I am incurable, mourned the life I thought I would have in my 20’s, dealt with post secondary health conditions caused by my autoimmune disease, I’ve been listed 3 times for transplant with 3 different hospital groups, and I received a call once that I had a been matched with a donor only to go home that same night because the donor liver was not a perfect fit for me. And that’s just a brief summary.

Fast forwarding to now, I am in end-stage liver failure. Transplant is no longer optional for me, it’s my only option. I’m currently listed and waiting for my call to come. With this absolute blessing of receiving a new liver, it comes with a cost. Cost in time and financially. I am unable to work while I wait for my transplant, and I will be down an additional 2-3 months post op. I will require 24/7 care and I will have to stay local to my transplant hospital for 6-10 weeks with my caregiver after I am discharged.

When people hear my story they always ask me “how can I help?”. I have been incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing people who cheer me on and pray over me. I have felt so loved and protected through this that I don’t need help in that aspect. My biggest needs are with covering costs. Insurance covers most of the surgery but there are extra costs, essentials, and other expenses that don’t stop just because you’re sick. Any extra money that is raised and not used to help me and my family cover my expenses, I plan to donate to a charity, research foundation, or nonprofit.

I appreciate each and every one of you that took the time to read this and I want to say thank you so much in advance for any and all donations!